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Library Home Page > 1st Generation (1983 to 1993) > Electrical
TCI Module Repair
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TCI module repair

Joe: I have written before about a virago, but now I need some help with a Venture. I monitor the Venture page that is put out by Bob Edwards and we have a tech tips/help section as you do. Many are writing in with problems with their bikes in the ignition area and I think that some of your tips regarding the TCI boxes etc are very compatible with the problems they are experiencing.....Hank Yerger

.....David Denowh has contacted me and informed me that he has the capability to repair TCI modules and thereby save Virago owners a lot of money. Following is Dave's prices for repairing these modules and I feel that his prices are very fair, especially his guarantee policy; Virago TCI Ignition Module Reconditioning $80.00 which includes... Reconditioning TCI module Return shipping via Priority Mail 90 day workmanship warranty $60 refund if repairs prove unsuccessful (There are a couple of parts that I cannot get. Thankfully these parts are very durable and not likely to fail) Please contact me via email. David Denowh - 83 Virago 750 owner Rockford, Illinois denowh.david@mcleodusa.net

Here's a brief bio of Dave I suppose I should give you a brief history of myself as you will undoubtedly be getting some questions. I grew up on a farm in North Dakota where we did our own equipment repairs and did some for the neighbors as well. I have an AAS Degree in Computer Science from North Dakota State College of Science. I have been working for Concurrent Computer Corp. repairing computer equipment for 18.5 years. I enjoy building, repairing, re-engineering just about anything made. I have a wonderful wife, 15 and 18 year old sons, '34 Ford pickup, '78 Corvette, and I still have my '72 Yamaha 100 Enduro that I bought when I was 12 years old! ----------------


TCI Tips On Virago Page

Joe: I have written before about a Virago, but now I need some help with a Venture. I monitor the Venture page that is put out by Bob Edwards and we have a tech tips/help section as you do. Many are writing in with problems with their bikes in the ignition area and I think that some of your tips regarding the TCI boxes etc are very compatible with the problems they are experiencing. My question is would it be ok to cut paste with proper acknowledgement of the source some of the tech tips from your page to the venture page? If you would not object I think that we will be helping by expanding the knowledge base on some potentially simular problems and fixes. If you would respond to this it will be appreciated. The CC is Bob Edwards address so you can see I am not just asking on my own. I have run this by Bob and he is receptive pending your approval.

Thanks Hank Yerger

Hi Hank, Anything to promote good motorcycling ! Of course, it's OK to use anything on my site for the benefit of other motorcyclists. Also note that I have just added a fix for the TCI units themselves. We have a member who is very technically competent in electronics that will refurbish TCI units at a rather reasonable cost.

Joe ridevirago@loop.com


CDI box troubles

Here's my story: Got my 85 Venture Royale last spring from an outfit in Calgary. Love at first sight. During my first road trip the engine cut out suddenly and totally. Restart was easy. 50 km down the road it happened again. And so on. This can be a real pain, especially in traffic, when passing, etc.

Diagnosis: CDI box. Fix: Pricey. Quotes on a new CDI box ranged from $6-700 US. Labor on top of that, which is substantial, since it's pretty well buried. I managed to get a used one which fixed the problem for about a week. Then, same symptoms. Restarts got harder, until it died altogether.

My wife towed me to our local Yamaha dealer (now THAT was an adrenalin rush, but that's also another story). The dealer had a new CDI box on order for someone else, and let me try it. Instant cure, so we knew we had the problem identified correctly. About this time I got a fax from the former owner, a copy of an old tech tips column.

Suggested Solution: take the CDI box apart, dry it out, and remount on top of the airbox. Nothing to lose, I tried it with my original box. As the sun shone on the circuit board, I could see the moisture receding. Several thousand miles later, it hasn't missed a beat. I then dried out the used CDI box I had found, after which it worked too.

Suggested Analysis: in its original location, the CDI box gets quite hot. On cool damp evenings, as the bike cools down, moist air is drawn into the unit. One week of dewy nights (I mean soggy, dripping wet) was all it took to collect enough moisture in the unit to cause problems. Getting the unit up on top seems to eliminate the problem (and it's also much easier to get at, should the problem recur).

Tips: it's a tight fit in the new location, so I cut off the mounting tabs - I have no intention of ever putting it back in its original location - and filed down the reinforcing ribs on one side of the CDI box for a better fit.

A Secondary Problem: when in its new location, the CDI box caused radio static due to magnetic interference. A simple cure was to wrap the CDI box in one of those metallic film bags used to ship computer parts - any computer store will give you one. Meanwhile, I have one used (and dried out) CDI box for anyone who needs it.

John H. Unger

 

Last update: 10:14 AM Sunday, September 26, 2004

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